How Do I Know If I Have Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms?

High levels of activation in the body are a normal response to trauma but over a short amount of time can produce significant changes to our nervous system and our resultant behaviour. We start noticing that something is wrong.

Clients will say things like:

I’m freaking out over something that shouldn’t be getting me so riled up

I go from 0 to 100 in rage instantly

I used to have patience with my kids or spouse but now get irritated very easily

I used to be able to manage stress fairly well but now I get stressed and panicked easily

It feels like I’m always pushing myself to get through

I’m not sleeping well or I’m waking up in a panic

Sometimes I just don’t want to deal with it and numb out in bed or with my computer for hours.

I can’t deal with other people right now.

Maybe it’s you who has noticed these changes in yourself or maybe your significant other has commented on the changes.

If you are experiencing some of the above symptoms of excess activation/arousal of the nervous system I welcome you to call me and learn about what’s happening.

In addition to high levels of activation other signs of post-traumatic stress include re-experiencing (e.g., flashbacks, nightmares, panic attacks, repeated traumas) and avoidant behaviours.

These symptoms are your body’s way of keeping you alive during a hard time. But now they may no longer be needed and are getting in the way and actually contributing to worse health.

When I do an assessment with clients I always ask whether they have experienced any traumatic events. And the answer is often no. But over the course of the hour it is uncovered that an event or series of events may be contributing to the client’s health.

The earlier you come in and learn new skills the easier it will be to unlearn these copings that served you in the past but are distressing you now. The longer trauma goes on unresolved the more stuck and rigid we may become in our ways of coping.

Give me a call and let’s see if we can get you back on track to feeling normal again.